Delhi Pollution LIVE — 'Will Analyse Situation After Diwali': Environment Minister Rai On Odd-Even Scheme, Artificial Rain
Air Pollution News LIVE Updates: Hello and welcome to ABP Live Delhi Pollution Live Blog. Follow this space for all the latest developments on Delhi pollution.
"On November 2, when the massive buildup of pollution happened...We were amazed at the rate and the speed with which the pollution had increased by nearly 68% within 24 hours...We really have to ramp up our action throughout the year so that we can build adequate infrastructure systems to scale, to implement the solutions at a scale so that vehicular pollution can be controlled by improving public transport...Eliminate solid fuel burning in all sectors. At the same time, deal with and aggressively scale up the use of clean fuel and technology in industries," Executive Director, Research and Advocacy, Center for Science and Environment, Anumita Roychowdhury told ANI.
On being asked about AAP govt's plan to induce artificial rain and implementation of odd-even scheme in the national capital in view of air pollution, Delhi Environment Minister Goapl Rai has said, "We will analyse the situation after Diwali following which we will take a call".
Cops across the country are cracking down hard on the sale and use of firecrackers in a bid to reduce air pollution.
On the pollution level in Delhi, Environment Minister Gopal Rai said, " After the rain, pollution dispersed and the wind was also blowing. It resulted in reducing pollution level by 50% from 450 (AQI) to 225 (AQI) in Delhi but it's too early to say how long this rain will have an impact."
Air quality across Delhi continues to be in the 'Poor' category as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
The Delhi University has declared an early winter break from November 13-19 in view of the rising air pollution in the national capital, according to an official notification.
The Supreme Court on Friday made it clear that the decision on introducing the odd-even car rationing scheme in the national capital has to be taken by the city government and pulled it up for shifting the burden onto the court, PTI reported.
The Union Health Ministry has asked Delhi and its neighbouring states to make necessary healthcare preparations to deal with any rush of patients triggered by poor air quality that may worsen in the upcoming festive season, PTI reported.
The Supreme Court said that the farm fires must stop and the "carrot and stick" is with the government. The apex court further stated, "Though the previous order was focused on Punjab, it is applicable to all concerned States. Now there is also technology to examine farm fires. This Court's function is to examine the executive while the methodology is up to the government. Long-term measures are also required including on cultivation of paddy," as quoted by Live Law.
Air pollution in Delhi-NCR: Supreme Court observes that farmers are also a part of society and they have to be more responsible, and we have to be more responsive to their needs. “But people cannot be made to die,” said Supreme Court, as quoted by Live Law. The apex court said that farmers are very well organised in Punjab and asked the government why it doesn't talk to the farmer's bodies and motivate them.
The Supreme Court said, "Don't try to non-perform and shift the burden onto the court. Now you're making a hue and cry about how other people will be affected. Amicus has said odd-even does not help. Now you want it for taxis? Where have we said that?," as quoted by Live Law.
The Supreme Court said, "We had asked how do taxis come into Delhi...They said we'll introduce odd-even in this also. They said they're going to wait for SC order. But what does SC order have to do with this?," as quoted by Live Law.
The Supreme Court reacted to the morning showers in the national capital and said, "God may have heard the prayers of people and intervened, no thanks to the govt," as quoted by Live Law.
During the hearing, the Supreme Court said, "You will register FIRs, then withdraw. Registering FIR is not the solution actually. It has to be incentive-based or punitive measures. Like, just thinking out loud, some who burns stubble will not be given MSP next year," as reported by Live Law.
Air pollution in Delhi-NCR: The Supreme Court expressed concern about reducing groundwater in Punjab and said that there is a need to phase out paddy cultivation in the state. "The water table in Punjab is going down. We don't want another desert there. Phasing out of paddy is needed," the apex court observed.
Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai says "A positive impact of rainfall has been noticed on the AQI level. There has been an improvement in the AQI index...We are going to put forward to the Supreme Court our studies on the implementation of the Odd-Even scheme and the need for artificial rainfall to control pollution in Delhi..."
Delhi witnesses sudden change in weather; receives light rainfall.
Amid the worsening air quality in the national capital, the city witnessed a light rain, which came as a relief for the residents.
Background
Delhi Pollution News LIVE: Hello and welcome to ABP Live Delhi Pollution Live Blog. Follow this space for all the latest developments on Delhi pollution.
After seeing a drop in the air quality for days, Delhi-NCR witnessed light rainfall that brought respite for the residents in the city. The change in weather led to a slight mprovement in the air quality. At 7 am, Delhi's AQI stood at 408, improving from 437 at 4 pm on Thursday.
The national capital witnessed a marginal dip in the Air Quality Index (AQI) at the Indira Gandhi International Airport at 347 (very poor), while at Lodhi Road it stood at 360 (very poor).
Earlier, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted a marginal improvement in air quality just ahead of Diwali due to favourable meteorological conditions, including light rain. The weather office had also said a change in the wind direction from northwest to southeast due to a fresh western disturbance affecting northwest India will help reduce the contribution of smoke from stubble burning.
Stubble burning in Punjab, however, is still a concern as the smoke is contributing to the worsening of air quality in the national capital and surrounding areas. Amid the worsening air pollution, the city government is mulling over introducing artificial rain through cloud seeding on November 20–21. A proposal pertaining to this will be submitted to the Supreme Court, which is hearing a clutch of petitions on the air pollution issue, on Friday.
The government on Wednesday rescheduled the December winter break of all schools. The winter break in the schools will now be from November 9 to November 18. Following the change in weather, a local said, "Weather is better today after the rain. Earlier there was smog everywhere, but today it is good. Elderly people must take care of themselves and come out of the house with masks."
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